E RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION: JAMES 21st WEDC Conference Kampala, Uganda, 1995 SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER AND SANITATION SYSTEMS Project identification in Tanzania Eddie James, UK IN RESPONSE TO a request from the United Nations High The following check list was used to identify and select Commissioner for Refugees, the author went to the projects: Kagera region of Tanzania as a member of a team of three in December 1991. 1. Do not raise expectations, always hold enthusiasm in The object of the mission was to identify and formulate check. a series of development orientated project proposals in 2. Build onto existing projects and development (see order to improve the levels of living and earnings of both para. 11). the Rwandese refugees and the nationals of the host 3. Link and network existing N.G.O’s and local govern- country, aiming at better integration of the refugees in ment bodies working on similar, complimentary, or the host areas. (Ref 1) The emphasis was to be on integrative projects. sustainability and minimal hard currency input. In total 15 projects were identified ranging from potable 4. Phase out external advisors as soon as possible, water supply to AIDS orphans assistance. The area hence a high priority should be invested in training included the whole of the Kagera region. for: facilitators, technicians, managers/adminis- The paper will outline guidance for project identifica- trators, and professionals to evaluate and appraise tion based on this mission. The project identification projects. stage of sustainable development is very important, 5. Always plan for more time rather than less to achieve expectations should not be raised, but the local commu- goals. nity should be encouraged and motivated. Also existing 6. Have a flexible approach with constant revision and work should be networked, to strengthen structures and replanning by the people themselves. avoid duplication. 7. Work within the existing organisations. Implementation: An ad hoc group formed with a specific project in Figure 1 shows details of fifteen projects. mind may find confidence and lay foundations for Project No. Description Location 1 Medical Facilities: Rehabilitation & Enhancement Kimuli, Nkwenda and Burigi 2 Secondary School Mwesi 3 Tesetse Fly Eradication and Control Muleba & Karagwe districts 4 Potable Water Supply Ngando, Bukoba district Kaninya, Ngara district 5 Carpentry Workshop Kashai, Bukoba town 6 Extension of Library Services Karagwe district 7 Emergency Relief Planning Project Ngara district 8 Road Rehabilitation Mwesi, Mpanda district 9 Banana Improvement Ngara and Karagwe districts 10 Community Development Burigi, Muleba district 11 Secondary Education Assistance for Girls Karagwe district 12 Strengthening of Maize Production Ngara and Karagwe districts 13 AIDS Orphans Assistance Bukoba, Ngara and Karagwe districts 14 Road Rehabilitation Kimuli, Karagwe district 15 Rwandese Naturalisation Assistance Kagera region Figure 1 171 E RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION: JAMES further participation on a wider scale. Hence identify ardisation of spares that may be purchased in the an area of need in which quick success is likely. local markets. 8. Every project should be evaluated for its effect on 13. Ask open-ended questions women, e.g. literacy training of adult women who e.g. What are your major problems farming? have missed earlier schooling through sex discrimi- Are there ever problems obtaining water? nation. Some projects need to specifically consider or specific questions with no bias. women, e.g. day-care centres for women to leave their e.g. Have any adults in your family been ill in the last childen to work in the fields - (this is very important month? in areas of high numbers of A.I.D.S. orphans) - hostels Do not ask questions that may steer an answer in the for girls to attend boarding school etc. survey. 9. Formal education often cuts off the pupils from their traditions and cultural practices. Conclusions Education needs to be sensitively combined with on The author was impressed with the initiative of the the job training, learning by seeing and doing. Kagera people to help themselves in spite of lack of 10. “Primary health care programmes require the partici- finance from both central and local government. pation of a highly motivated population. The survey was done prior to the 1994 civil war in Unless they are accompanied by effective methods of Rwanda however the data for the Eastern side of Kagera mobilising the people, there is a tendency for partici- will be still accurate and the solution to development pation to slacken as soon as health has improved problems are relevant even though the scale is now even marginally.” (Ref. 2 J Beauclerk) larger. 11. Evaluate the individual projects within a programme not just in terms of viability but also for their potential References in increasing the confidence and autonomy of the United Republic of Tanzania/UNHCR local group. Rwandese Refugees Study Be sensitive to investing resources into such projects Vol. 1 Project Identification hence the evaluation and identification stages are Vol. 2 Social Economic Survey often interlinked. Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Feb. 1992 12. Encourage technology that is locally available; avoid Indigenous Peoples - A field guide for development importation of spares from overseas, encourage stand- J Beauclerk et al OXFAM 1988 172.